How to do good in Melbourne

Helping those less fortunate doesn't have to take up all your spare time if you don't want it to. There are plenty of ways to give others a leg up in Melbourne, and they can range from buying a coffee from a café staffed by asylum seekers to simply spending time with someone. For more ideas, check out these five great places to volunteer in Melbourne.

What is it: Melbourne’s oldest charity, which provides care to the most vulnerable in the community, including people living with homelessness, disability and family violence.

How to get involved: Visit the MCM website and browse the current volunteer roles. Start as simply as hanging out with an older person living in an aged care home for a few hours a week; small sacrifices in your time can make a huge impact to another person’s quality of life.

What is it:A Melbourne-based toilet paper company that donates 50 per cent of profits to building toilets and improving sanitation across the world.

How to get involved:Sign up to a regular delivery of brightly coloured toilet rolls. $48 gets you 48 rolls of recycled toilet paper. Great value and no more carrying large toilet paper cartons on the tram.

Need more inspiration?

Feeling down about the state of things? Let us inspire you with the stories of the Melbourne-based organisations and people working for a better world. Plus, our pick of the social enterprises and charities that you can get involved with.